Democracy project put on hold for Guyana, US talks

Guyana and the United States yesterday announc-ed that they have agreed to temporarily put the contentious Leadership and Democracy (LEAD) Project on hold to facilitate talks between the two governments.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon and United States Ambassador Brent Hardt made the joint announcement at a press conference held at the Office of the President.

“The governments of Guyana and the United States of America have agreed that the implementation of the activities of the USAID LEAD project would be put on hold temporarily during the re-engagement on the design of that project, which the two sides have agreed would commence immediately,” the announcement stated.

“It is our sincere hope that the re-engagement we begin today can address all outstanding concerns related to the LEAD programme and allow us to chart a way forward in the spirit of the partnership that has traditionally characterised our bilateral relationship,” the US envoy said.

Hardt added that he remained optimistic that the talks will be completed by the end of his tenure here in July this year.

Luncheon told Stabroek News that while critics may claim that the government wants the $300M project to be stalled indefinitely, …..To continue reading, login or subscribe now.

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